Press Release

Southern Oklahoma Ranch Owners Receive Centennial Ranch Award

OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Melvena Heisch announced that an Oklahoma Centennial Ranch Award has been presented to the owners of a southern Oklahoma ranching operation headquartered in Johnston County. The families of William C. Chapman and Fred A. Chapman Jr. of Ardmore, Okla., own and operate Chapman Ranches, located in the vicinity of Mannsville. The family has grown pecans and raised cattle since their father, Fred A. Chapman Sr., began the farm and ranch operations in 1917. Chapman Ranches crosses into Murray, Carter and Marshall Counties in Oklahoma, as well as Red River and Bowie Counties in Texas.

To qualify for a Centennial Farm or Ranch Award, a property must be owned by a family member for at least 100 years and must be operated or occupied by a family member or leased out by a family member over the age of 65. The property must include a minimum of 40 acres and gross annual sales of at least $1,000. The Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have sponsored the Centennial Farm and Ranch Awards for 28 years, in which time two awards have been given in Johnston County.

For further information about the Centennial Farm and Ranch Program, please contact Shea J. Otley at 405-522-4485 or sjotley@okhistory.org.

The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.